UPDATE: On 4 April 2025, Minister of Home Affairs Dr. Leon Schreiber announced a second call for applications to the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), following its strong success since launching on 12 February 2025. The scheme, aimed at streamlining tourist visa applications from countries like China and India, has significantly boosted tourism and job creation through its fully digital process. In response to growing demand, the Department has upgraded its online platform and reopened the application window for tour operators to join. Applications, to be submitted only via the Department’s website within 30 days, will be evaluated using AI by an interdepartmental team. Since TTOS’s launch, over 2,000 tourists have entered the country through the new system, with daily applications rising from 21 to 165, indicating continued growth. – 7 April 2025
Introduction
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has introduced the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS), which will launch early 2025. The scheme is designed to simplify and accelerate visa applications for tourists from China and India who book their trips through accredited tour operators. This is part of the government’s broader effort to position tourism as a key contributor to economic growth and job creation.
The scheme is intended to remove visa processing obstacles that have previously deterred travellers from these two markets. Under the new system, tour operators will be able to submit group visa applications on behalf of their clients. Dedicated visa adjudicators will review these applications, ensuring that decisions are made within three days. Once approved, visas will be issued digitally, eliminating the need for travellers to visit South African missions in person.
How the TTOS Works
Pre-Approval of Tour Operators
Tour operators based in China and India must apply for approval before participating in the scheme. To qualify, they must meet specific criteria, including:
- Legal compliance with South African and domestic regulations
- A minimum of twelve months’ operational experience
- Demonstrated capacity to manage group travel
- A formal agreement with Home Affairs, making them responsible for their clients’ compliance with visa conditions
Out of 141 applications, 65 operators were approved, including well-known names such as Thomas Cook India, China International Travel Service, MakeMyTrip India, Shanghai Ctrip International Travel Service, and Springbok Atlas Tours and Safaris in South Africa.
Faster Digital Visa Processing
Once a tour operator is approved, they can submit visa applications on behalf of their clients. These applications will be processed by a dedicated team within the Department of Home Affairs, significantly reducing delays. The key features of the new process include:
- A three-day visa turnaround time
- Digital visa issuance, removing the need for physical paperwork
- No in-person visits required at South African embassies or consulates
This is a significant shift from the previous system, which required individual applications and in-person visits to a limited number of South African diplomatic missions in China and India.
Why the TTOS Was Introduced
South Africa has struggled to attract large numbers of tourists from China and India, despite their status as two of the world’s largest outbound travel markets. In 2023, only 37,000 Chinese tourists and 79,000 Indian tourists visited South Africa. By comparison, Australia welcomed 1.4 million Chinese visitors in the same year.
Several factors have contributed to South Africa’s underperformance in these markets:
- Visa application processes were previously slow and cumbersome.
- South Africa has only two diplomatic missions in each country, creating bottlenecks in visa processing.
- Tourists often faced excessive red tape, discouraging travel.
By removing administrative barriers and offering a digital-first approach, the TTOS is expected to increase visitor numbers from these two countries.
Economic and Tourism Benefits
Job Creation and Economic Growth
Tourism is a major economic driver, and statistics indicate that for every twelve additional visitors, one new job is created. The TTOS is expected to contribute to employment growth, particularly in the hospitality, transport, and retail sectors.
Beyond direct employment, increased tourism spending will benefit local businesses, from hotels and restaurants to tour guides and souvenir vendors. The knock-on effect of a more accessible visa system is expected to generate broader economic activity in key tourism regions such as Cape Town, Durban, and the Kruger National Park.
Strengthening South Africa’s Tourism Competitiveness
By simplifying visa applications for Chinese and Indian tourists, South Africa is positioning itself as a more attractive destination in a highly competitive global tourism market. Many other destinations, including Australia, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates, already offer fast and straightforward visa processes for these markets. The TTOS is intended to bring South Africa in line with international best practices.
Potential Expansion of the Scheme
The TTOS is initially focused on China and India, but there is potential for expansion to other key source markets in the future. Home Affairs is exploring broader digitisation of visa applications across all categories, and if the TTOS proves successful, similar models may be introduced for other nationalities. Possible future expansions could include:
- BRICS nations such as Brazil and Russia
- Southeast Asian countries with strong outbound tourism markets
- Middle Eastern countries with high-spending travellers
Challenges and Risks
Compliance and Enforcement
The TTOS places significant responsibility on approved tour operators. If tourists fail to comply with visa conditions, such as overstaying, Home Affairs may impose penalties on the operators involved. Ensuring compliance will be crucial to the long-term success of the scheme.
Capacity Constraints
While TTOS addresses visa processing bottlenecks, the Department of Home Affairs must ensure that it has adequate resources to manage the increased volume of applications efficiently. Sufficient staffing and reliable digital infrastructure will be necessary to prevent delays or system failures.
Impact on Independent Travellers
The scheme is designed for group travel through accredited tour operators, but it does not yet address visa accessibility for independent travellers from China and India. If TTOS proves effective, there may be increased demand to extend faster visa processing to individual applicants.
Government’s Perspective
Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, has described the TTOS as an important step towards modernising South Africa’s visa system. The scheme was conceptualised and implemented within six months, demonstrating the government’s commitment to improving efficiency.
Research suggests that a ten per cent increase in tourism could contribute 0.6 per cent to economic growth. The TTOS follows the model of the Trusted Employer Scheme, which has helped streamline the immigration process for skilled workers. If this new approach is successful, it could serve as a foundation for further digital transformation in South Africa’s immigration and tourism sectors.
Conclusion
The introduction of the TTOS marks a major shift in South Africa’s approach to visa processing. By streamlining applications and removing bureaucratic obstacles, the country is taking steps to attract more visitors from China and India. The scheme is expected to boost tourism, create jobs, and enhance South Africa’s appeal as a global destination.
The long-term impact of the TTOS will depend on its execution and expansion. If successful, it may lead to broader reforms in the visa system, increasing accessibility for travellers from other regions and improving overall efficiency in the immigration process.
Written by Andreas Krensel, Managing Director
Edited by Simon Carletti, PR and Creative Supervisor
